Method of transforming electrical energy.



PATENTED JAN. 1905.

P. G.-HEWITT. METHOD OF TRANSFORMING ELECTRICAL ENERGY- APPLIOATION FILED APR. 26. 1902.

V UNITED-,5 STATES Patented January 31, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE. I

PETER COOPER HEWITT.

OF NEW YORK.'N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE l roRATioN on NEW YORK.

METHOD Oi TRANSFORMING ELECTRICAL ENERGY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 780,999, dated January 31, 1905.

' I I Application filed April 25, 1902. Serial No. 104,607,

To alt whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER OoorER HEWITT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of-New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Transforming Electrical Energy, of which the following is a specification.

I have found that when an inclosed gas or vapor of suitable character and density con- I tained within a holder of suitable character and dimensions and having appropriate elec-' trodes is connected in an electric circuit there will be opposed to the passage of electric current aninitial resistance whlchmay be overcome by an electromotive force of sufiicient' value, the gas or vapor-then serving as a conductor across the gap in the metalllc circuit 'when the proper conditions of current are supplied. This initial-resistance appears as if a self-created electrical-resistance phenomenon at the negative electrode, which on being overcome removes itself without any appreciable energy loss. .The resistance which the gas or vapor shall offer to the current during the period of discharge maybe made of practically any desired value within wide limits, while the initial resistance above referred to canalso be made of any desired value, each independently of the other. Y In other words,

- it is possible to soconstruct an apparatus of this sort as to present initially a Veryhigh resistance to the passage of the current and to present a very low resistance to the our- 5 45. a sp r a the firstinstance.

rent after it has once been established through the apparatus. Should other conditions be requiredQboth these factors may be varied by altering.theconstructionof the apparatus in Assuming, however, a low resistance'during the discharge period and a desired initial resistance, the amount of work done in the vapor-gap is practically very small,

an apparatus of the kind depossessing by. reason .of the fea- .-'tures above mentioned a very great advantage overtheprdinary air-gap and a still greater "advantage-over a- Wehnelt interrupter. I The temperature, as well as the means for con trolling and determining the other factors hereinbefore mentioned, are fully sethforth in certain patents .issued to me on the 17th day of September, 1901. If desired, special means for maintaining a constant temperature may be applied to the apparatus when it is used in place of a spark-gap? Inasmuch as the electrodes remain practically unchanged by repeated useand the whole-apparatus is substantially unaltered. a single apparatus A will operate without anyneed of attention or repair. Should it be desired to provide a higher initial'resistance, so asto increase the rise of potential in the discharge-circuit, a

new apparatus can be substituted calling for such higher potential at the start; but this new 1 apparatus may, like the first, consume littleor no current during the discharge period. These electric circuit-breakers may be used in se-.

ries or parallel, and in case it is not desired to have. the initial resistance to starting so great it may be modified by starting-bands at the electrodes, as described in my patents, and in case it is desired to operate'several breakers in parallel they may be timed by connectingthe starting-bands or groups thereof together. In these respects the described apparatus is superior to the ordinary air-gap, in using which it is necessary to keep the terminals of the conductors or balls smooth and polished and in which any increase in the initial resistance (as by the'separation of the balls 'or conductors) also entails an increase of .resistance during the period of discharge,

and, further,-the resistance during the dis:

chargeperiod may be lower and-is far better than a Wehnelt interrupter on account of the great loss of energyin the Wehnelt interrupter.

'- Another feature'of my apparatus is that the gas between the electrodes acts as a true va- -por-c onductor after the circuit is once established through the vapor, and when this conductor is made of very low resistance practically a short circuit is formed. Since the of current the electrical pressure or voltage is lowered to a point where the resistance to starting re-forms, whereupon the checked current rebuilds or reestablishe's itself, its electrical pressure rising until the breaking-down pressure is again attained, after' which the same succession of actions is repeated.

' By utilizing the describe apparatus in the manner indicated periodic currents of high frequency can beproduced, by reason of the fact that its action is very quick and uniform. It'is especially adapted to the work of creating currents of definite time periods and rapid alternations. I have found, for instance, that with a device consisting of an inclosed mercury-vapor organized in the manner described in my patents above referred to and provided 1 with a condenser and a reactive device suitably placed and adjusted with reference thereto it is possible to produce such currents,'the action being in. the first instance to apply to the terminals of the vapor-gap a potential difference sulficient to overcome the initial resistance, whereupon a rapid fall of potential takes place until it reaches a point where it is insufiicient to overcome the reduced resistance at the vapor-gap. At this'point the current ceases to flow, the break in currentfiow being abrupt on account of the immediate reestab'lishment of the initial resistance of the vapor. Thereafter the applied potential rises until it reaches the breaking-down pressure of the-initial resistance, and then the same cycleof operations is repeated.

' The intermittent or vibratory currents produced in the circuit by the circuit-breaker thus described may be applied to use in the vapor or gas gap itself, or they may be applied to other apparatus, or to both simultaneously. For example, one application of the present invention would be to serve the purposes of furnishing a periodic current for wireless telegraphy and another for producing rapidly varying currents for the purpose of producing light by induction, and still another application would be that of producing light-- say in the Vapor-gap itselfby means of successive electrical impulses of relatively high electromotive force, causing a high illumination of the vapor or gas at such rapid intervals that the physiological impression is that of continuous illumination. In making the last-named application of my invention I cause the intermittent currents produced by the intermittent action of my apparatus to act upon the vapor in the gap in such a way as to produce a brilliant light. To this end the density of the vapor and the dimensions of the container are suitably proportioned to each other for this purpose, as set forth in a general way in my patents of September 17, 1901; but whereas in the inventions set forth in the said patents the vapor is intended to be affected by a flow of current of given value at a certain potential the purpose in the present instance is to affect the-gas or vapor by an intermittent flow of a current of practically the same value, but of higher potential, the energy represented by the intervals between the impulses being intermittently withdrawn from action and reappearing in the form of an increased quantity in the rapid periodic currents. The result is an increased brilliancy on the part of the lamp due to this increased consumption of energy per unit of time, while the effect upon theeye becomes that of a light due to a continuous flow of current of greater quantity.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating an application of my invention, Figure 1 is a diagram showinga general organization of the apparatus. Fig. 2 shows a modification, and Fig. 3 is a theoretical diagram.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents any convenient source of electrical energy-say, for instance, a continuous-current generator (which for convenience it may be assumed in this particular instance to be of three thousand five hundred volts.)

2 and 3 represent main conductors leading from the generator.

4 represents an electric device of the character described in my patents hereinbefore referred to. This is connected at any convenient point between the conductors 2 and 3. A condenser 5 or other suitable device or means for affording an electrical capacity is connected across the terminals of the device 4. An inductive resistance 6 is connected in the line 2between one plate 7 of the condenser 5 and the source 1 of current. It is to be'understood that by referring to a condenser I mean to include other suitable means for securing the requisite electrical capacity.

Assuming that the circuit of the generator is closed by the switches 9 and 10,- there will be a sudden rush of current through the lines 2 and 3, tending to charge the plates 7 7 of the condenser 5. The inductor resistance 6 opposes a counter electromotive force to the applied electromotive force, thus temporarily resisting the flow of current beyond that resistan ce; The condenser 5 thus becomes gradually charged as the electromotive force at its terminals rises. Assuming that the device 4; will be traversed by a current under the influence of a difference of potential of three thousand five hundred volts, then as soon as rent Wlll traversethe device; but the moment such current does traverse the device the difference of potential at its terminal is enormously reduced. Practically it maybe made to drop as low as one hundred volts or even below twenty volts. Thereupon the condenser 5 discharges or feeds the circuit be the condenser 5 has attained its charge a curtween itself and the device. The reactive coil f 6 may serve to prevent at this time too great a discharge from the source of current. V On the discharge of the condenser the passage of current through the device will cease and the operation be. repeated, causing rapidly succee'ding impulses of current to traverse the device. Each succeeding impulse. will be at a potential of, say, three thousand 'five hundred volts, and .the light emitted by the device will be of a brilliancy due to the product of the average voltage into the current during the successive time intervals of current-flow. It

' is characteristic of these devices that they I 5 ceases to pass.

will take'current.

maybe-constructed not to pass an appreciable "amount of current below a given voltage'which of therapidity with which the intervals -follow each other. It is also characteristic of apparatus of this type, whether used as a lamp or as a discharge-gap, that it may be so dimen sioned with relation to the vapor-column that the 'heatradiation-will be equal to the heat absorbed under ordinary conditionst hat is to say, the temperature may be maintained confss stantthus securing constant density in the gas or vapor, The enlargement represented by the chamber 14 at the top' of. the devices 4 i in Figs. 1 and 2 is usually employed as contributi ng to the maintenance of stable temperature and density. The period of the condenser may be further retardedby-an inductance deviceplaced in the condenser-circuit. An additional condenser, 12, placed between the source and the condenser 5, may serve to assist the speed of charge and discharge through theinductance 6. Asimilar inductsired.

In my devicesthe'sta'rting' is usually facilitated by the use of a band :14, placed in the ,neighborhoodof the negative electrode upon the exterior of the device and connected by'a conductor 15 withthe positive electrode or the conductbr leading thereto, and is useful where t'ric strain at ornear the negative electrode,

' lower initial voltagesare to be used; Action of this band may be that of producing an elecsuch strain tending toward causing 'a discharge to pass-between'the electrodes. In.

any case it is found that the presence of'a starting-band in the position indicated in the drawings makes it possible to start the-appamotive force than would be the ease-if the ratusby the application of a lower electro ance 6 may be included in the branch-3, if deband or some equivalent thereof were not present.

By inserting the primary'coil;16 ofaconverter 17 in one of the conductors for-in- I stance, 3, .as shown'in Fig.[1an alternating current may be produced in a secondary circuit 18, which in turn may be used for any desired purpose.- The primary coil 16 in this casemay beutilized as the'inductancedevicereferred to abovefor retarding the period ofthe condenser-circuit. i

In Fig. 2 I show the primary 16 of the converter 17 connected up between two condensers 5and 20, connected in series across the ter-,

minals of the device-4.

In Fig.3 I have shown in diagram the theoretical curve illustrative of the differences of potential and the changes therein which may one hundred volts, as indicated by the portion 6 of the curve. The voltage then again rises to three thousand five hundred volts, as indicated by the portion d of the curve, therate of charging being dependent upon theamount' of self-induction or resistance in the circuit between the condenser and the source. By varying this self-induction ,the'portion d of the curve may be made more or less abrupt,

and by, varying; the inductive capacity of the circuit between the condenser and the device the portion 7) of the curve representing the operation of the device may be more or less "prolonged. The lines drawn above and below the zero-line near the end of Fig. 3 are designed to illustratethe gradually-decreasing surgings of the condenser-current during the interval :of discharge in its circuit. a

By properly adjusting the capacity of the condenser, the circuit, and'also the inductance almost any required definite period of charge and discharge may be secured. The condenser 5 may be made to act either by reason of its own natural period of oscillation or governed by the charge which itreceives from the line as controlled by the line. Thefcurren'ts developed in the circuit and hereinbefore described as utilized for increasing the luminosity of one of my lamps may in addition he used'for other purposes, or the quality of my apparatus as a light-giving body may be'fully subservient to the development of currents for other purposes. In other words, 1 may in some instances construct a gas or vapor apparatus having the primary object of controlling the rate of currents developed inthe system. which currents may or may not operate to give light in the apparatus. In'distinction from the ordinary air-gap the I on apparatus herein described as being. used for an analogous purposeis so constructed and the material forming the path for the discharge is of such a character .that no injurious eifect is caused by the operation of the apparatus for long periods. Moreover, the conditions under which the vapor constituting the path is placed make it possible to predetermine and control the voltage required to break down the resistance of the gap, which always remains the same in any given apparatus under the same conditions. The apparatus can be so constructed that the loss of energy during the passage of the discharge will be practically negligible-that is to say, the medium through which the discharge passes may be of such high conductivity that no material waste of energy will take place'in the operation ofthe device. By virtue of the same quality the apparatus imposes no material limitation upon the natural number of useful oscillations of the circuit. These features,which render the apparatus controllable, avoid the suppression of useful oscillations, prevent waste of energy, and render the resistance of the device independent of the current flowing after the initial resistance has been overcome, are among the features which difi'erentiate the present apparatus from what is usually known as the spark-gap or airgap. A further differentiation is that the device when constructed with high conductivity operates without developing inertia characteristicsthat is to say, the initial high resistance is immediately reconstructed as soon as'a discharge passes, whereas there is no such sudden cessation of action when an air-gap is traversed by a discharge.

It is incidental to the character of my apparatus that 1 am at liberty to construct the electrodes either of volatile or non-volatile material. The electrode material may conveniently be a conducting liquid, in which case the electrode will present a clean liquid-surface, and in case the liquid is volatile'the electrode will possess the property of never becoming heated beyond the boiling-point of the liquid. Such material as volatilizes from the electrode may be condensed-say in the cooling-chamber 44'and in returning in the condensed state to the electrode will unite with the latter, thus replacing the loss due to vaporization. The intensity of certain characteristic electrode phenomena may be increased or diminished by devices external to the electrode, such as the action of the starting-band or the effects of temperature on the electrode.

In a companion application, Serial No. 104,608, filed April 25, 1902, claims are made upon certain features of the apparatus herein described; in another application, which is a division thereof, Serial No. 124,624, filed September 24, 1902, claims are made upon certain other features described herein, and in another application, which is a division of the present application, Serial No. 214,901, filed July 1, 1904, claims are made upon a method of producing light described in this specification.

I claim 1. The method of producing a periodic flow of electric current through a medium which opposes a practically prohibitive resistance to potential below a given value, which resistance may be overcome by a diflerence of potential materially greater than said value,and is of a determinate amount through the intermediate values, which consists in first applying to the terminals of said medium a potential of the higher value, thereby starting the flow of current, opposing to the flow a predetermined resistance so low as to render the energy loss practically negligible, thereby causing a sudden drop of potential below the lower value and interrupting the flow of current, and successively repeating this operation.

2. The method of producing intermittent or vibratory electric currents in a circuit containing a circuit-controller which has a high initial resistance and possesses the,quality of taking no current below a definite low limit of electromotive force, which consists in periodically impressing upon the circuit an electromotive force higher than thatat which the controlling device starts, and successively opposing to the electromotive force thus impressed upon the circuit the high initial resistance of the circuit-controller and a predetermined lower resistance, continuing the application of the lower resistance through a definite period until the lowermost operative limit has been reached, and then repeating this cycle of operations.

3. The method of producing intermittent or vibratory electric currents in an electric circuit, which consists in periodically impressing on the said circuit currents of definite electromotive force, and interposing in the said circuit in series with each other a high resistance and a resistance which is independent of the current flowing, causing the said impressed currents to break down the high resistance and to traverse the lower resisting medium for a-definite period.

4. The method of producing intermittent or vibratory electric currents in a successively charged and discharged circuit, which consists in utilizing as the breaker in the dischargecircuit, the transition resistance between a confined gaseous electric conductor and a nongaseous conductor.

5. The method ofproducing intermittent or vibratory electric currents in a successively charged and discharged circuit, which consists in utilizing as the breaker in the dischargeoircuit the transition resistance between a confined gaseous electric conductor and a nongaseous conductor, the gaseous conductor being of such a nature as to be rendered luminous by the passage of the current after the spark-gap is bridged or broken down.

translating device having a high initial resist 6, The method of producing intermittent or vibratory electric currents. in a successively charged and discharged circuit. which consists in utilizingfas the breaker in the dischargecircuit the electrode resistance at the contact between a confined gaseous electric conductor and a non-gaseous conductor.

7. The method of'operatingan electrical ance and'a subsequent resistance not adapted to disturb thenatural rate of vibration of the circuit in which it is included,and having the quality of taking no currentbelow a definite low limit of electromotive force, which consists in charging a source of relatively high electromotive force, periodically discharging this sourcerthrough the translating device, 'd

regulatingthe charging period by interposing suitable impedance, the period being so timed as to permit the current in the dischargecircuit to pass to or below the lowermost operative limit of the translating device before.

' the source of high-potential currents is again 3 breaking a discharge-circuit, which consists in discharged.

8. Themethod of periodically making and breaking a discharge-circuit, which consists in passing the .discharge through a circuit-interrupter which maintains the natural rate of oscillation of the circuit.

9. The method of periodically making and passing the discharge through the circuit, and

controlling the discharge. by periodically in' terposing in the circuit a conductor having der theloss of energy in the conductor prac-j such relation to the electrical energy as to rentically negligible.-

. the current flowing;

12. The method of operating an electrical translating device having a high initial resist ance and having the quality of taking no cur rent 'below a definite low limit of electromow ti ve force, which consists in periodically breakaing down the initial highresistance by means of a I source of relatively high electromotive force, choking down the potential appliedto the translating device to or below the lower-- most limit of operation by devices entirely in dependent of the translating device, recharg ing the source of relatively high electroino tive force, desired.

and repeating the cycle as often as 13. The method of operating an electrical translating device having a high initial resistance and having the quality of'taking no curtive force, which consists in periodically chargrent below a definite low limit of electromo- I ing a'source of relatively high Jelectromotive force, periodically discharg'ingthis source through thetranslatingdevice, and regulat-' ing the charging period by the development of a retarding force external tozthe translating device.

14, The method of producing intermittent or vibratory electric currents in a successively charged and discharged circuit, which consists in passing the discharge through a conducting gas or vapor of predeterminable resistance and intermittentlyinterrupting the flow by in terposing the transition resistance between such gaseous conductor and anon-gaseous conuctor.

15. The method of producing intermittent or vibratory electric currents ina successively chargedand discharged circuit, which consists in passing the dischargethrough a cond ucting gas or vapor of practically negligible resistance and intermittently interrupting the flow by interposing in the circuitthe transition resistance between such and-its electrodes a 16. The method of producing intermittent or vibratoryelectric currents in an electric gaseous conductor circuit, which consists iuimpressing upon the said circuit alternately a high electromotive force and a lower electrombtive force result ing from the subsequent flow of current, lowering the electromotive force below the effective. carrying-point of the circuit within a predetermined perip d of time, and repeating these operations.

17. The method of converting'an electric current of approximately constant-diflerence of potential into intermittent or vibratory currents, which consists in accumulating successively charges of electric energy, and succes sively opposing to such charges an electrical resistance capable of being overcome by the accumulated potential, and a resistance of predetermined lower value.

18.- 'The method of converting an electric current of approximately constant difierence. of potential into intermittent or vibratory currents, and of applying the currents thusproduced, which consists in successively accumulatmg charges of electrlcal energy, successively opposing to such charges an electrical resistance capable of being overcome by the accumulated potential, and a resistance of, predetermined lower value, and translating the effects of the successive accumulations and discharges.

19. The method of rapidly charging and discharging an electric circuit, which consists in causing the discharge to pass through a gas or vapor and suppressing the development of inertia characteristics.

20. The method of producing and utilizing alternating or intermittent electric currents in a system of electrical distribution, which consists in continuously generating'electric currents in a portion ofthe system, periodically discharging the energy of the same through another portion of the system, causing a sudden diminution in the resistance of the latter portion of the system-and a consequent drop of potential therein, thereupon causing an automatic interruption of the fiow of currents through that portion, and transforming into 

